A 28-year-old man, referred to as CC, suffered from obsessive and intrusive thoughts, which he believed originated from his testes. After researching online, he self-administered calcium chloride from a cheese-making kit into his testicles, believing it would "fix" himself. However, this caused severe damage, including testicular shrinkage, hypogonadal function, suprapubic pain, and scrotal masses. Calcium chloride is highly caustic and can cause cell death, vasoconstriction, and calcification. The medical team could only provide supportive care, and CC was left with unknown permanent damage. However, after two months, CC appeared to recover, with his symptoms subsiding, but the extent of the damage remains unknown.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A 28-year-old man, referred to as CC, presented to the emergency room with suprapubic pain.
2. CC had been experiencing intrusive thoughts and compulsive fantasies that were ruining his life.
3. He had been researching ways to "fix" himself online and came across a cheese-making kit that contained calcium chloride.
4. CC injected the calcium chloride into his testicles, causing a burning sensation.
5. He experienced night sweats, anxiety, and a decrease in testicular size after the injection.
6. A scrotal ultrasound revealed two large spherical masses in each testicle.
7. The medical team suspected that the calcium chloride had caused a muscle contraction in the blood vessels, leading to vasoconstriction and tissue damage.
8. Calcium chloride can cause apoptosis (programmed cell death) and tissue necrosis.
9. The body has mechanisms to regulate calcium levels, and excess calcium can cause problems.
10. Calcium chloride is used in hospitals to treat hypocalcemia, but it has a high risk of extravasation injury to skin.
11. The medical team could not reverse the damage caused by the calcium chloride injection.
12. CC's bioavailable testosterone level was 7% of the lower limit of normal.
13. Two months after the incident, CC appeared to be in better spirits and had no more suprapubic pain, night sweats, or anxiety.
14. The extent of permanent damage caused by the self-inflicted episode is unknown.